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SESSION 3625

INTEGRATION OF PROJECT BASED LEARNING INTO A FRESHMAN ENGINEERING DESIGN COURSE

Sohail Anwar, Todd Batzel, Ed Sell The Pennsylvania State University, Altoona College

Abstract

Engineering Design and Graphics 100 (ED&G 100) is a project-based introduction to engineering design course for all freshman baccalaureate engineering students at the Altoona College of the Pennsylvania State University. In this three credit-hour course, an engineering approach to problem solving is taught with an emphasis on team work, communication (graphical, oral, and written), creativity, ingenuity, and computer-aided design tools. The instructional approach used in this course involves freshman engineering students as active participants in the learning process. Several inter-related but separate mini-projects have been developed in support of the design component of ED&G 100. These mini-projects are designed to introduce students to the basic concepts of electrical and electro-mechanical engineering. In addition to the mini-projects, there are several team presentations, lectures, exercises, and case studies presented throughout the semester.

This paper provides a complete description of the project-based design-driven learning process used in the design component of ED&G 100 course. This paper also describes students’ comments regarding the quality of instruction delivered in support of the design component of ED&G 100.

Introduction

Engineering design is defined as the communication of a set of rational decisions obtained with creative problem solving for achieving certain stated objectives within prescribed constraints1. The role of design in an engineering curriculum is a key issue to the success of the program and its graduates2. A wide variety of pedagogical approaches used to teach engineering design have been reported by Wood et.al.3. However, in recent years, the engineering education community has been increasingly interested in project-based learning approach. The use of engineering design projects provides students with a broad context related to the material presented in the classroom lectures4. Through project based learning, students are encouraged to assume responsibility for their learning experience and to shift from passive to active learning style. Several studies have been conducted to demonstrate that active learning approach can enhance the cognitive skills of students more readily than traditional lecture-based approaches5.

Engineering Design and Graphics 100 (ED&G 100) is an introduction to engineering design course for all freshman baccalaureate engineering students at the Altoona College of the

“Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright  2004, American Society for Engineering Education”

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Anwar, S. (2004, June), Integration Of Project Based Learning Into A Freshman Engineering Design Course Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--13023